On Monday, Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja, delivered a landmark ruling discharging and acquitting former senator Dino Melaye of all charges brought against him by the Federal Government. Melaye, who represented the Kogi West district in the National Assembly, had been involved in a protracted legal battle stemming from accusations that he had committed offenses during his police detention and transport in April 2018.
The case, which had stretched for over six years, revolved around a six-count charge that included allegations of attempted suicide, attempt to escape from custody, and damage to police property. According to the Federal Government, Melaye had attempted to flee from a police vehicle transporting him to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, and had damaged the glass of the vehicle during his escape.
These charges were said to have contravened several sections of the Penal Code, including Sections 148, 153, 173, 231, 326, and 327. The prosecution alleged that Melaye had broken the glass of the Toyota Hiace in which he was being transported, causing damage to the police property.
Despite these claims, Melaye had consistently maintained his innocence. In his defense, Melaye, through his lawyer Professor Mike Ozekhome SAN, filed a no-case submission, challenging the evidence provided by the prosecution. Melaye pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The prosecution, which had presented five witnesses and tendered ten exhibits, concluded its case on March 17, 2022, after nearly three years of legal proceedings. However, Justice Oriji upheld the no-case submission on two key charges: threat to injure public officers and attempted suicide, ruling that the evidence provided was insufficient to support these claims. The judge subsequently ordered Melaye to enter his defense on the remaining four charges.
After hearing the defense, Justice Oriji delivered his final judgment on Monday, declaring that the Federal Government had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt on all remaining charges. “The verdict of the court is that the defendant is not guilty of the charges in counts 1, 3, 4, and 6,” Justice Oriji said. He then added, “The defendant, Senator Dino Melaye, is discharged and acquitted.”
The ruling marked the culmination of a lengthy legal battle that had spanned six years, during which Melaye faced several charges, including allegations of false information regarding an alleged assassination attempt on his life in 2017. The Federal Government had initially accused Melaye of falsely implicating Edward Onoja, the then-chief of staff to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, in this assassination allegation.
Justice Oriji also cleared Melaye of the charges related to this alleged false information. Melaye had been accused of providing false testimony that Onoja was involved in a plot to assassinate him. This accusation had been one of the major legal hurdles Melaye had to overcome during his time as a public figure in the National Assembly.
In his reaction to the court’s decision, Melaye took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude and relief. “I take life as it comes, but in all the vicissitudes of life, I trust in God only. He is always with the just,” Melaye posted, thanking his supporters and emphasizing his faith throughout the process.
He further celebrated the victory by saying, “Justice served after six years. Justice delayed is never justice denied. God alone be praised. SEN. DINO MELAYE 12 – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND IGP 0. 12 CASES ALL WON BY GOD.”
The decision has met with jubilation from Melaye’s supporters, who have viewed the legal battle as a test of the former senator’s resilience and a symbolic win against what they perceive as political persecution.
